Recovering Boone visits teammates

Astros infielder on way back from open-heart surgery

Aaron Boone visited with teammates and reported progress in his recovery from the open-heart surgery he underwent in March.

"I feel good," Boone told the Houston Chronicle. "I'm six weeks [since the surgery] ... and I feel a lot better than I did two weeks ago. And it's definitely getting better all the time."

Boone still has trouble with some tasks, like lifting objects, but didn't rule out a return this season.

"This year? Maybe," he said. "I would say there's a chance."

Feldman eyes role in starting rotation: Scott Feldman has worked his way into the Rangers' starting rotation.

"I love starting, and it's been a lot of fun these last three games," Feldman, who has a 3.24 ERA in his three starts, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "I don't want to take anything for granted. When they tell me to go out and pitch, I want to go out and do the best I can and have the team win the game."

Bruney faces prolonged stay on DL: Brian Bruney may have a longer stay on the 15-day disabled list than initially expected. The Yankees right-hander said he probably needs another two weeks before he is healed from a flexor muscle strain in his right elbow.

"I thought I would be back within 15 days, but I wouldn't have been 100 percent," Bruney told Newsday. "I probably would have felt some discomfort, and who knows what would have happened after that."

"Speed, defense -- he's a very complete player," general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Look at the tools he has. He can provide extra-base hits, and I think he showed in Spring Training that he's a high-energy player. The situation we're in with only 12 position players means you need to have everyone available."

Janish gets a new look from mound: Paul Janish switched positions from shortstop to pitcher for the Reds in their 15-3 loss to Milwaukee on Wednesday. Janish needed 35 pitches to get three Brewers out in the ninth inning.

"I think I had a little left in the tank, but I didn't want to risk running up into anyone's gut," Janish told MLB.com. "I tried to run it across the plate. Unfortunately, that's what they were looking for."

Janish allowed five runs on five hits, including a home run, in his inning on the mound. He did, however, strike out two batters.

Wise making recovery from shoulder injury: DeWayne Wise, out with a separated right shoulder, thinks he's within a month of returning.

"It's getting better," Wise told MLB.com. "I took some swings yesterday in the cage, and today I tried to put a little more into it. It's just really, really tight.

"I have to get it stretched out because, [on] balls away, I feel it it a little bit when I try and turn on the ball. But today was a better day than yesterday."

Owings chalks up another triple: Micah Owings is a .316 career hitter and is 5-for-17 this season with three RBIs and two runs scored. He hit his second career triple on Thursday against the Brewers.

"I say it all the time. I'm fortunate to be able to swing it and be blessed with God-given talent that I have," he told MLB.com. "I take a lot of pride in it. I know a lot of guys are going to continue to bear down on me, but I'm going to bear down, too, and keep seeing what I can do to help the team."

LaRue's goals are all about winning: Jason LaRue, a former regular, is batting .438, and the Cardinals are undefeated in his four starts, but he is content in his role as backup to Yadier Molina.

"For me, I'm at the point in time in my career where I want to win, I want to go to the playoffs, and that is the sole reason I signed back here," LaRue told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I had my heyday of starting. I enjoyed it, I loved it, but, most importantly for me, is I want to win."

McCann to have new look upon return: Brian McCann completed a Minor League rehab stint and is expected to rejoin the Braves on Friday as they take on the Phillies in Philadelphia. The catcher will wear glasses and switch to a hockey goalie-style mask while behind the plate.

"I'm not used to taking the mask on and off [with glasses on]," McCann told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I went down to backup first [base], and I smeared the lens. I am probably going to have to wear them when I catch.

"This is all going to be a process for me to get used to. I have to get used to catching with these things and hitting with them."

Cust now has two grand slams: Jack Cust delivered the second grand slam of his Major League career on Thursday.

"It's nice when the weather heats up, because the ball does carry," Cust, whose blast landed in the seats above the scoreboard in right at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, told the San Francisco Chronicle. "But the ball I hit today would have been out anyway."

Oswalt not expected to miss start: Roy Oswalt said he expects to be ready for his next scheduled start on Sunday after leaving Tuesday's game against Washington in the sixth inning due to a bruised right index finger. The right-hander had X-rays taken on Wednesday, and no fracture was detected.

"We'll see how it feels," he told the Houston Chronicle. "I'm not going to throw a bullpen. I might just throw on flat ground. But it should be OK."

Weaver's fashion of choice proves a winner: With the Angels sporting 1980s throwback uniforms, Jered Weaver posted a complete-game victory on Thursday. It had been awhile since Weaver pulled on the old-school double knits.

Buehrle nearly provides more jewelry: A.J. Pierzynski, who caught Mark Buehrle when the White Sox pitcher tossed a no-hitter against Texas in 2007, was particularly disappointed his battery mate didn't toss another one on Thursday against Detroit.

"I was mad at him that he didn't get another because I wanted another watch," Pierzynski told MLB.com.